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Electrode boundary layers in direct-current plasma accelerators

Kerrebrock, Jack L. (1961) Electrode boundary layers in direct-current plasma accelerators. Journal of the Aerospace Sciences, 28 (8). pp. 631-644. ISSN 0001-4966. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20110111-095750483

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Abstract

One of the problems that must be faced in the development of direct-current plasma accelerators is that of boundary-layer growth on the electrode surfaces. These surfaces must be maintained at a somewhat lower temperature than is desirable in the bulk of the gas flow. The associated reduction in electrical conductivity near the electrode surface, together with the continuous current through the boundary layer, may result in greatly augmented Joule heating near the surface, and increased heat transfer. This phenomenon is treated within the framework of boundary layer theory. It is found that similar solutions for the thermal and viscous boundary layers exist for a certain class of accelerated flows in which the velocity varies as a power of the streamwise coordinate. The solutions show that the heat-transfer rate at Mach numbers near unity may be as much as ten times that which would be expected for a normal boundary layer. At higher Mach numbers, the similarity is not precisely valid; however, the analysis indicates qualitatively that a stagnation enthalpy overshoot may occur in the high-temperature portion of the boundary layer as a result of the electromagnetic acceleration.


Item Type:Article
Additional Information:© 1961. by the Institute of the Aerospace Sciences. Received April 20. 1960. This research was supported by the United States Air Force through the Air Force Office of Scientific Research of the Air Research and Development Command. under Contract No. AF 49(638)-758. Senior Research Fellow. Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Jet Propulsion Center. The author wishes to express his gratitude to Prof. Frank E. Marble who. through many discussions, contributed a great deal to the formulation and interpretation of this work.
Group:Guggenheim Jet Propulsion Center
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
United States Air Force/Air Force Office of Scientific Research of the AirAF 49(638)-758
Other Numbering System:
Other Numbering System NameOther Numbering System ID
Guggenheim Jet Propulsion Center UNSPECIFIED
Issue or Number:8
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20110111-095750483
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20110111-095750483
Official Citation:Electrode Boundary Layers in Direct-Current Plasma Accelerators pages 631-644 Jack L. Kerrebrock Journal of the Aerospace Sciences (1936-9999) 1961 vol. 28 no. 8
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:21691
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Ruth Sustaita
Deposited On:31 Jan 2011 19:29
Last Modified:03 Oct 2019 02:28

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